Salishan receives funding for senior housing community

The next step in the transformation of the Salishan neighborhood will begin soon, now that final funding is in place for a 55-apartment affordable senior housing community.

It was announced in late July that Washington Housing Trust Fund (WHTF) has awarded a $2.75 million grant for Tacoma’s Salishan development to ABHOW, a leading nonprofit provider of senior housing throughout the West.

ABHOW has secured $13 million overall for the project. The WHTF grant supplements $8.3 million awarded in January by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Section 202 program. The Salishan senior housing community is one of only three projects in the state to receive such HUD funding this year.

With groundbreaking set for this fall and an expected completion date of summer 2011, the development will bring new jobs to Tacoma followed by much-needed affordable housing for seniors and will be a key component of the Salishan HOPE VI Revitalization, an ambitious $225 million residential and commercial transformation of an area built during World War II to house soldiers and civilians.

“This is terrific news for Tacoma and a further validation of our vision, demonstrating the momentum of how Salishan is transforming into a true neighborhood, bustling with people of all backgrounds,” said Tacoma Mayor Bill Baarsma. “These are incredibly challenging times. The jobs that will be created are a most welcome addition to our economy. Just as important, however, is the opportunity to provide premium housing at affordable prices for seniors.”

The Salishan development will be ABHOW’s second senior community in Tacoma joining Harbor View Manor, and fourth in the Puget Sound including Judson Park in Des Moines and Shepherd’s Gardens in Lynnwood, which is under construction with a projected spring 2010 move-in date for residents.

HUD recently allocated $4 billion in Recovery Act funding for public housing, including $95 million earmarked for housing for seniors and people with disabilities. The HUD grant for the Salishan community includes a long-term subsidy ensuring seniors will not pay more than one third of their income for rent and utilities.

Pre-construction activities are well underway. The new community is being co-developed with Seattle-based Beacon Development Group, an affordable housing developer with multiple developments in the Pacific Northwest. ABHOW and Beacon are currently preparing an extensive initial closing package for submission to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

“ABHOW has a long commitment of providing affordable senior housing that meets our demanding standards,” said David Ferguson, CEO of ABHOW. “Teaming with the talented and can-do staffs of Tacoma Community Redevelopment Authority, Pierce County, Tacoma Housing Authority, and the local United Way, as well as the expertise of Beacon Development Group, we’re developing a project that all of Tacoma, in fact all of Washington, will take great pride.”

The reinvigoration of the Salishan neighborhood is evident in the spirit of its diverse blend of residents, who represent many ethnic groups and multigenerational households. ABHOW will play an important role serving older Salishan neighbors and their families by providing housing with floor plans that address the special and unique needs of seniors. Additionally, the neighborhood will have easy access by foot and public transit – a high priority included in the master plan.

Founded in 1949, ABHOW is widely known for its pioneering leadership in senior housing and health care. The company serves more than 5,000 residents in 21 affordable housing communities and 11 continuing care retirement communities in California, Arizona, Nevada and Washington.

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